CULINARY SOS

Chicken, grapes in a nice balancing act

Dear SOS: I had lunch at Massimo Ristorante in Beverly Hills with visiting relatives from Padova, Italy. They found it wonderful, and I was very impressed by the chicken in white grape sauce. It was very flavorful and not at all sweet. Would it be possible to obtain the recipe? I sincerely hope so.

Milena Tognolini-Wemyss

Temple City

Dear Milena: This recipe turns green grapes into a light but savory sauce, drizzled over freshly roasted chicken. The sauce is bright with the flavor of grapes and a little lemon zest, balanced by sage, chile and garlic.

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Roasted chicken with grape sauce (Pollo arrosto con salsa d'uva)

Total time: About 1 hour, 20 minutes

Servings: 2

Note: Adapted from Massimo Ristorante. The restaurant recommends using organic chicken. The recipe makes about 1 1/2 cups sauce; you may have sauce left over. Sides for this dish change seasonally at the restaurant; recently it was served with sautéed vegetables and roasted potatoes.

For The Record Los Angeles Times Friday, August 10, 2007 Home Edition Main News Part Page News Desk 1 inches; 29 words Type of Material: Correction Chicken recipe: In Wednesday's Food section, the amount of sodium was wrong in a recipe for roasted chicken with grape sauce. The correct amount is 1,274 milligrams, not 2,547.

9 ounces ripe green seedless grapes (about 2 cups)

13/4 teaspoon salt, divided

Small pinch of white pepper

2 tablespoons best-quality olive oil, divided

1 small whole chicken, about 2 to 3 pounds

Freshly ground black pepper

1 teaspoon chopped lemon zest

1 teaspoon chopped sage

1 small garlic clove, chopped

1 pinch red chile flakes

4 peeled and halved grapes for garnish

1. Heat the oven to 325 degrees. Remove the stems from the grapes and wash them in cold water. Place them in a medium saucepan with 1 teaspoon salt, white pepper and 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add enough water to cover the grapes. Cook over medium heat, covered, for 30 to 40 minutes, until the grapes are thoroughly cooked and softened.

2. Using a blender or immersion blender, blend the mixture until it is a smooth sauce and the grape skins are completely dissolved. If the skins do not completely break down, return the pan to the stove and cook a few additional minutes until they dissolve when blended. Check and adjust the seasoning if needed. Set aside in a warm place.

3. While the grapes are cooking, cut the chicken in half using kitchen shears and remove and discard the backbone. Heat a grill over high heat. Season each chicken half with three-fourths teaspoon salt and a pinch of black pepper, and rub with the lemon zest, sage, garlic and red chile flakes. Drizzle lightly with the remaining tablespoon of olive oil and place on a hot grill.

4. Sear the chicken for 3 minutes on each side to brown. Remove the chicken from the grill and place it on a baking sheet. Place the baking sheet in the oven and roast 30 to 40 minutes until done; the meat will be firm, and a thermometer inserted will read 165 degrees.

5. Remove the chicken to two plates and drizzle with the warm grape sauce. Garnish each half with the peeled and seeded grapes. Serve immediately.